The Buddha Speaks of the Merit of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts, Kindness and Weariness

Sutra Thus I have heard, at one time the Buddha was at the country of Sravasti in the Garden of Orphans and the Solitary. The Buddha told Elder Anavendy about a Brahmacarin Virama who gave away a large amount of wealth and valuables. He had 84,000 gold bowls full of silver nuggets and 84,000 silver bowls full of gold nuggets. Furthermore, he had 84,000 gold and silver bathing basins. He also had 84,000 oxen with horns covered in gold and silver. He had 84,000 maidens dressed in ornaments. Furthermore, 84,000 sitting cloths were covered with a multitude of ribbons, the same with 84,000 pieces of clothing. They further installed gold and silver saddles on 84,000 elephants and horses. Furthermore, he gave away 84,000 houses. He gave away everything in the middle of the four city gates as people took whatever they wished. Furthermore, he gave away a house to Sangha. Blessings from the above acts of charity are lesser than taking the Three Refuges. Those who receive the Three Refuges bestow fearlessness upon all beings; therefore the blessings from taking refuge with the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha are uncountable. Blessings from the above acts of charity plus the taking of the Three Refuges are lesser than the blessings from taking the Five Precepts. Merit from receiving the Five Precepts is more superior. Blessings from the above acts of charity plus the taking of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts are lesser than the blessings of thinking kindly about living beings for a time that is a snap of a finger. Blessings from the above acts of charity plus the taking of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts and thinking kindly about living beings cannot compare with the blessings from thinking that everything in the world is odious. The reason being, thinking about how nothing in the world is enjoyable makes the practitioner end the suffering of birth and death and in the end, realize Buddhahood. Therefore, that kind of blessing is most supreme. At that time, the elder heard what the Buddha said and delightfully followed suit.

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